HUDSON, Wis. &045; The second time proved to be a charm for the Albert Lea Elks U-12 girls’ soccer team when it traveled to the Hudson Border Battle.

Last year, the locals lost a heartbreaking championship game in a double-overtime shootout.

This year, they brought home the championship trophy.

Albert Lea’s defense quickly stopped Blaine’s offense in an opening-round 3-0 victory. The defense was so dominant that Albert Lea’s first goal came off a long clearing kick by sweeper Morgan Stadheim from near midfield that bounced over the keeper and into the net. Ellie Johnson and Madi Passingham also scored while Sage Fitzgerald-Prihoda and Kelsey Paulson split goalkeeper duties.

In game two Albert Lea faced the Maplebrook Blast, a big, physical team that matched up well against the local girls. Albert Lea started slowly but, behind goals by Mariah Maras and Kellsie Dieser, rallied for a 2-2 tie. A third goal by Maras was nullified by a questionable offside call.

Rallying from a two-goal deficit was a first for the locals and they took the momentum into Sunday, when they needed at least a two-goal victory over Marshfield to reach the finals. Sophie Miller scored four goals, three of them unassisted in the first half, and Maras added another as Albert Lea won 5-0.

The opponent in the championship, host Hudson, was undefeated and confident and Albert Lea started slow. After some player changes, Albert Lea took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Miller just before halftime. Miller added two more scores and Stephanie Ferguson connected on a free kick for a 4-0 Albert Lea victory.

The rest of the squad includes Jenna Bowman, Kaitlin Cope, Anna Peterson and Elizabeth Winkels. The coaches are Jeff Miller, Dawn Ferguson and Dwaine Winkels.